Tuesday witnessed Steve Staios, the general manager for the Senators, as a guest on the podcast Coming In Hot. Within the context of ongoing NHL investigations into the unsettling sexual assault case from London, a question on Alex Formenton was notably omitted, complying with the organization’s policy. Following in the wake of the trial, the NHL resolved to issue a statement. Despite the absence of confirmed criminal charges, the seriousness of the allegations and the disruptive conduct associated with them were accentuated. The league promised to diligently review the judge’s findings, meanwhile declaring an ineligibility status for the players undergoing the trial.
The state of Alex Formenton distinctly stood out as he was the singular individual amongst the charged players whose rights still belonged to an NHL club. As the 2022 offseason began, the haunting events that would come to unfold in London were yet unknown. It was around this time that the Senators, under the guidance of the then ownership, advanced a qualifying offer to Formenton, who was a restricted free agent at that time. Seen as routine action, rights to potential assets are seldom surrendered to avoid losing out on potential gain.
Where teams can capitalize on contract expirations to abandon association with troubled players, the Formenton affair took a different turn. The forwarding of qualification without the following signing of the contract allowed the Senators to maintain their hold on Formenton’s rights. Present times see an acquittal raising questions on his professional journey ahead, with wide-ranging and justified different conclusions being drawn.
At one end of the judgment spectrum lie those who believe that Formenton’s acquittal implies his non-involvement in the crime, hence affirming his rightful shot at continuing playing professionally. On the flip side, there exists a significant number of critics who think that the decision merely reflects that the burden of proof required for conviction was not met, rather than implying innocence. Such observers insist that the Senators would do well to sidestep the contention by disassociating from a player who hasn’t donned their colors in three years.
Given that Formenton decides to resume his career, the Senators will be faced with three potential courses of action. Firstly, in the absence of a contract, they may decide to give up their rights, mirroring the Arizona Coyotes’ decision to disclaim Mitchell Miller’s rights after selecting him in the 2020 NHL Draft’s fourth round.
Secondly, the Senators could also consider trading Formenton’s rights to a willing club that can handle the potential negative aftermath his return may instigate. Thirdly, the club may still see a silver lining in his case, trusting in his on-field performance to bring about positive change, and then decide to keep him.
One can find plenty of support for this last sentiment amid various public forums and message boards where Senators fans congregate. At 25, Alex Formenton aligns perfectly with the youth aspect of the Senators’ squad. He is expected to be in his prime, as most players hit their statistical peak aged 22-27.
Being a versatile player, his return could potentially boost the team’s forward line with his dynamic play style. His impressive speed makes him an asset both in regular play and during penalty kills, an element currently lacking in the Senators’ forward lineup.
In the 2021-2022 season, Formenton was ranked admirably high in NHL Edge data, with his speed metrics underlining his striking athletic prowess. His top speed reached an incredible 24.21 mph, placing him in the 99th percentile, while also recording an impressive 298 speed bursts over 20 mph.
While some view Formenton as a promising third-liner with his impressive speed potentially adding a new dimension to the game, the counter opinions cannot be ignored. As with everything, the story continues to unfold, and the most sensible next steps will be dictated by time and careful consideration by all parties involved.
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